USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 2 > Part 80
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
ACEKS.
Surface of Lake Champlain (within the co.). 6,400 " of Iludson River 1,560
9,600 Kingsbury Swamp ..
Aggregate amount covered hy water or marsbes. by roads. 8,200
27,229
nnimproved private lands. 188,052 = lands in cultivation. 310,760 4 The first co. officers under the State Government were Win. Duer, First Judge ; Ebenezer Clarke, Co. Clerk ; Jobn Thomas, Sheriff ; and Richard Hatfield, Surrogate.
5 The channel of the IIudson was first used from Saratoga Dam to Fort Edward, except a short canal with locks around the falls at Fort Miller. The summit level is fed by the Glens Falls navigable feeder.
6 The Times. It was published by Mr. Gerrish; and in 1795 it was changed to
The Washington Patriot. From 1810 to 1818 it bore the name of The Northern Post, and was published successively by Dodd & Kumsey and Dodd & Stevenson. About 1827 it ap- peared as
The Co. Post and North Star ; and in 1840 as
The Washington Co. Post. It is now published at Nortb Wbite Creek by R. K. Crocker.
110
679
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
trails and implements of Indian art frequently found show that it had been inhabited at a former period. The N. portion of the eo., lying in the natural channel of communication between Hudson River and Lake Champlain,1 became the great highway of hostile parties passing between the Five Nations and the Canada Indians, and at a later day by the more formidable armies of disei- plined troops in the struggles which ended in the conquest of Canada. The French made ineur- sions upon the English and Five Nations in 1665, 1688, and 1693; and these were returned by attaeks upon the French and Indians iu Canada in 1691 and 1692. For several years after, the passage of small hostile parties was of frequent occurrence. In 1709, Forts Ann and Nicholson were ereeted by the English and garrisoned for the protection of the northern frontier; but upon the return of peace they were abandoned .? Frequent ineursions of small parties were made in the War of 1748, and many persons were murdered,-though no regular engagement took place. Again, during the French War of 1755, forts were built at Ft. Ann, Ft. Edward, and the whole region around the head of Lakes George and Champlain became the theater of stirring military events. The armies that attacked Tieonderoga, and those that finally effected the conquest of all the French posts upon the lakes, marehed through this region; and it formed a portion of the great battle-ground between the armies of two nations contending for the sovereignty of a continent. In the summer and fall of 1777, upon the advanee of Burgoyne, war again, for a brief space, spread terror and desolation over the whole region "Skenesborough" was burned and abandoned on the 7th of July, Fort Ann was taken on the 8th, Fort Edward on the 28th, and the country was over- run by the enemy soon after. On the 13th and 14th of Sept. the British army erossed the IIudson into Saratoga eo .; and about the 10th of Oet. Fort Edward was re-taken by the Americans, thus effectually cutting off the retreat of the army, already disheartened by their defeat at Bemis Heights. The surrender of Burgoyne put an end to the war in this section ; and the subsequent history of the co. is but the record of the continued and progressive triumphs of peaceful industry.
ARGYLE'-was granted by patent, May 21, 1764,4 and formed as a town, March 23, 1786. Greenwich was taken off in 1803, and Fort Edward in 1818. It lies near the center of the eo. Its surface is rolling in the N. and w. and broken and hilly in the s. and E. The highlands are divided into broad ridges with abrupt deelivities. In the N. part Tamerack Swamp eovers several hundred aeres. The principal stream is the Moses Kil,5 which flows in a s. w. direction through near the eenter of the town. The other streams are small brooks, which flow into the Hudson, Batten Kil, and Wood Creek. Cossayuna Lake6 is a beautiful sheet of water, 3 mi. long, situated in a narrow valley in the s. E. part of the town. It is everywhere surrounded by steep hill slopes, and contains several beautiful green islands. To the N. E. of this lake, high up among the hills, is Argyle Lake,7 a small sheet of water, half a mile in eireumferenee. - The soil of the town is generally a pro- duetive, slaty or gravelly loam. A mineral spring, I mi. N. w. from South Argyle, is said to re- semble those at Saratoga. Argyle (p. v.) was ineorp. March 27, 1838. It is the seat of the Argyle Academy. Pop. 375. North Argyle and South Argyle (p. offices) each contains about 20 houses, and The Hook 10. Argyle was conveyed to 83 families, and in 1765 the first settlement eommeneed.8 The family of John Allen, a tory living on Lot 25, was murdered by Indians belonging to Burgoyne's army, July 26, 1777.9 The first church ( Asso. Ref. Presb.) was formed in 1793;10 Rev. Geo. Mairs was the first preaeher.
1 There were three distinct routes,-one from Fort Edward, down Wood Creek, with a portage of 6 to 10 mi., one from Fort Ann to the head of South Bay, and one from Glens Falls to Lake George. 2 See page 682.
8 Named in honor of the Scottish Duke of Argyle.
4 This patent was granted to Scotch immigrants (who came over under Laughlin Campbell in 1738-40) and to their descend. ants. It embraced 47,450 acres, and granted township privileges. Duncan Read, Neal Shaw, Alexander Mc Nachten, (McNangh- ton,) and Neal Gillespie were appointed trustees. A stately avente, called " The Street," 7 mi. in length and 24 rods in widthi, was laid out (on paper) and surveyed E. and w. through the center of the township, and lots were laid out on each side. In the rear farm lots were laid out, thus affording accommoda- tions for proprietors and tenants. In the summer of 1764 this tract was surveyed and divided into 141 lots, in accordance with this plan, by Arch. Campbell, of N. J., and Chris. Yates, of Sche- nectady. The natural impediments in the way, however, pre- cluded the possibility of building the street or in any way real- izing the plan.
6 Formerly " Moss Kil," probably from Capt. Moss, who settled opposite its mouth.
6 Called at different times "Long." "Legbrants," "Mc Eachrons," "Cowans," and "Big Lake." The name given on the mapand in the text, after having gone ont of use, was restored by Dr. Fitch in his survey. Cossayuna is said by the St. François Indians to signify " The Lake at our pines," and is highly expressive of its original scenery.
7 Summit Lake is a picturesque sheet of water in the co., upon the very summit of the central range of hills. Two sawmills are supplied by its outlet.
8 Alex. McNaughton, Arch. Livingston. Duncan Campbell, and Roger Read settled on the Batten Kil: and James Gilles, Duncan Taylor, and George Kilmer, near the center of the town. Many of the lots were never visited or claimed by their proprietors. and they were taken up by squatters. The first death was that of Mrs. Arch. Brown.
9 This family had been assured of protection by Burgoyne. Their murder, together with that of Jane MeCrea, had the ten- dency to convert many persons who had hitherto been tories into active partisans in the American canse.
10 The census reports 5 churches; 2 Asso. Presb., M. E., Ref. Presb. or Cong., and Prot. E.
680
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
CAMBRIDGE-was incorp. by patent,1 July 21, 1761. It was formed as a town? in Al- bany co. March 7, 1788, and annexed to Washington co. Feb. 7, 1791. White Creek and Jackson were taken off in 1815. The surface of the town is hilly in the N. and rolling in the s. The summits of the hills are 200 to 300 ft. above the valleys. The E. part embraces a portion of the valley of Owl Kil, which is celebrated for the beauty of its scenery. Upon the w. of this valley are high undulating hills, the broad sweeps of which show alternate patches of green wood- land and cultivated farms; and upon the E. rise the Taghkanick Mts., rough and broken, while the valley itself is very smooth and level. The other streams are Wampecack Creek, Whiteside Brook, and several other small brooks. The soil is generally a gravelly and sandy loam. Flax is extensively cultivated. Cambridge (p. v.) contains 100 houses and the Cambridge Washington Academy; Center Cambridge (p. v.) 13 houses; North Cambridge (p. o.) 10; and Buskirks Bridge' (p. v.) 15. The first settlers consisted of 30 families, who located in 1761, '62, and '63 and who each received 100 acres of land as a gift from the proprietors." Phineas Whiteside,6 from Penn., settled 8 mi. w. of the Colerain Colony, in 1766. The expedition against Bennington, under Baum, passed through the town Aug. 13, 1777; and the remnant of the fugi- tives returned on the night of the 16th. The first church (Asso. Presb.) was organized in 1789; Rev. Thos. Beverly was the first pastor.6
DRESDEN-was formed from Putnam, as " South Bay," March 15, 1822; its present name was adopted April 17, 1822. It lies between Lake George and the s. extremity of Lake Champlain. Nearly its entire surface is covered by steep mountain ridges, several peaks of which are 1500 ft. above the lake. The declivities of the mountains are steep, sometimes forming perpendicular preci- pices several hundred feet high. Upon the side of Lake George the mountains rise abruptly from the very edge of the water ; but upon the borders of Lake Champlain is a narrow strip of arable land. The principal mountain peaks are Black' and Sugar Loaf Mts. and Diameter Precipice. Pike Brook and the head branches of Mill Brook take their rise in these mountains. All of the surface in the interior is covered with forests or naked rocky peaks. The soil is hard and sterile, and is unfit for agricultural purposes. The town was principally conveyed to non-commissioned officers and privates of the Colonial British army; and settlement was begun about 1784, by Jos. Phippeny, at the foot of South Bay. Ebenezer Chapman, - Boggs, and Daniel Ruff came soon after, and settled along the bay and lake. Lumbering has formed a prominent pursuit. In several localitics iron and other ores have been noticed, but none worked to any extent. The town is without a p. o. A bridge was built, at the expense of the State, across South Bay, near its outlet, in 1856.
EASTON-was formed from Stillwater and Saratoga, March 3, 1789, while a part of Albany co., and so named from being the E. town in the Saratoga Patent. It was annexed to Washington co. Feb. 7, 1791. It lies upon the E. bank of the Hudson. A broad intervale extends along the course of the river, which is succeeded by a plateau region, embracing the central and s. portions of the town. The E. part is broken by several lofty hills. The principal highlands are Willards Mt.8 and Harrington Hill. The streams are Hudson River and Batten Kil,9 forming the w. and N. boundaries of the town, Kidney and Vly Creeks, and a few minor strcams. Upon the E. borders of the town is an extensive swamp known as "The Vly."10 The Di-on-on-dah-o-wa Falls,11 upon
1 This patent embraced 31,500 acres, and was nominally con- veyed to 60 persons, most of whom resided in Hebron, Conn. The real owners were but 6 in number, and of these 3 only were mentioned in the charter, viz .: Isaac Sawyer and Edward Wells, of Conn, and Jacob Lansing, founder of Lansingburgh. The other three owners-Alex. Colden, Win. Smith, and Geo. Bauyar -were connected with the Colonial Government.
2 The town included a portion of the Hoosick Patent.
8 Named from Martin Van Buskirk, who built the first bridge. 4 The patent was conditional to the settlement of 30 families within 3 years; and to meet this requirement the most inviting portion was surveyed, and 100 acres offered as a gift to each family that would reinove thither. These lots lay in a double row, on both sides of Owl Kil, from below the "Checkered House" into the present town of Jacksou. They embrace the several village precincts from Davis Corners to near Stephen- sons Corners. Among the settlers were Jas. and Robt., sons of Ephraim Cowan, Jas. and John Cowden, John McClung, Samnel Bell. Col. Blair. Geo. Gilmore, Geo. Duncan, David Harrow, Wm. Clark, John Scott, and Thos. Morrison. A son of the last was the first child born of civilized parents In town. Hugh Kelso, a son of Col. Blair. was the first person who died in town. It is recorded that of these 30 families (who were for a time the most thrifty in town) all but two lost their property and died in poverty, mainly from intemperance. They were mostly from Colerain, Conn.
5 William Whiteside acquired the title to 3 lots, of 400 acres ench, of the finest land, and settled his sons (Jobn, Peter,
Thomas, William, and James) upon large farms near him. These estates are all owned by his descendants at the present day. The remaining lands were mostly leased by the six pro- prietors at an annual rent of one shilling per acre; hut, they being generally willing to sell at a sum equal to the present worth of the perpetual rent, most of the settlers have gradually acquired the fee simple of their farms. The first inn was of logs, on the site of the " Checkered House," and kept hy Jas. Cowden. Philip Van Ness built the first sawmill and gristmill on Gordons Brook, near Buskirks Bridge. This neighborhood was called hy the Indians " Ty-o-shoke," and by them a field of 12 acres had been cleared there for corn. Other early settlers on the Hoosick Patent were Col. Lewis Van Wort and John Quackenbush.
6 The census reports 4 churches ; 3 M. E., 1 Asso. Presb.
7 Black Mt., the highest, is 2.879 ft. above tide.
8 Willards Mt. is said to have derived its name from a Mr. Willard, who froin its summit, with a spyglass, reconnoitered the position of Burgoyne's ariny at Saratoga.
9 Judge Benson, in his work upon the names of places, states that this stream was named from the Christian name of Bar- tholomew Van Hogeboom, first settler above Stillwater. Bart. is the abbreviation of Bartholomew, and hence Barts Kil, or Batten Kil.
10 A term used to denote a marsh overgrown with hog moss and low bushes.
11 Pronounced Di-on-on-dah'o-wa. On a map of Saratoga Patent published in 1709 it is written Di-on-on-de-ho-we.
681
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Batten Kil, below Galcsville, are 60 ft. high, and well worthy of note. The soil is an excellent quality of sandy and gravelly loam. Limestone of an excellent quality abounds in this town. Machinery, agricultural implements, and woolen goods are manufactured at Galesville. Easton Corners (North Easton p. o.) contains 30 houses; Easton (p. v.) 17; South Easton (p. v.) 15; and Crandalls Corners 8. Parts of Union Village and Galesvillel are in this town. The date of the first settlement is unknown, but it was probably several years after the Saratoga Patent? was issued. In 1709 a fort' was built on the hill top, 1 mi. s. of Gales- ville, and a few families settled under its shelter; but the drcad of Indian hostilities prevented the settlement from spreading. On the 30th of Nov. 1745, the enemy made a descent upon the place, killed 30 persons, and took 60 prisoners, including a portion of the garrison, who were decoyed from the fort by the Indians feignuig to be wounded. The remaining part of the garrison burned the fort and unfinished blockhouses and withdrew, leaving the frontier unprotected. Settlers did not return until 1760.4 At Schuylerville is a bridge across the Hudson 800 ft. long. The first religious meeting (Quaker) was held in 1778. A Ref. Prot. D. church was formed in 1805; Rev. Philip Duryea was the first preacher.5
FORT ANN-was formed, as " Westfield," March 23, 1786. Hartford was taken off in 1793, and Putnam in 1806. It received its present name, April 6, 1808, from the old fort erected here in 1709. It lies s. of the southern extremity of Lake Champlain, and s. E. of Lake George. Its central and w. parts are occupied by the high and rocky peaks of the Palmertown6 Mts., here divided into three distinct ranges,-Palmertown Mt., in the w. part, Mt. Putnam, in the center, and Fort Ann Mts., in the E. The extreme E. edge of the town is occupied by uplands belonging to the Cossayuna Range. Diameter Rock and Buck Mt., on the line of Dresden, are the highest peaks, and are 1300 to 2500 ft. above tide. The valleys separating the ranges of the Palmertown Mts. are known as " Furnace" and " Welchs Hollow." The principal streams are Wood Creek, Halfway Crcek, Furnace Hollow Creek, and Podunk Brook. The principal bodies of water are Orebed, Sly, Cope- land, Hadlock, and Trout Ponds. The soil in the mountain region is hard and sterile, scarcely strong enough to support the natural growth of forest trecs; but in the valleys it is a gravelly loam alternating with a stiff clay.7 Iron8 and woolen goods are manufactured to some extent. Fort Ann9 (p. v.) has 608 inhabitants ; Griswolds Mills (p. v.) about 14 houses. West Fort Ann, (p.o.,) South Bay, Canes Falls, and Comstocks Landing (p.o.) are small villages. Fort Ann was one of a chain of military works crected in 1709, to facilitate the exten- sive operations then in progress against Canada.10 It stood upon the w. side of Wood Creek, about half a mile from the present village of Fort Ann, the Champlain Canal passing partly across the spot which it enclosed. It was built at the joint expense of England and the Colonies. Artillery Patent, covering the E. part of this town, was granted Oct. 24, 1764, to Jos. Walton and 23 other Provincial officers, in cqual shares, irrespective of gradc. Settlement was not generally begun until after the Revolution. An engagement occurred here, July 8, 1777, between the rear guard of the retreating American army, under Col. Long, and the advanced guard of the British, under Col. Hill.11 In Oct. 1780, a blockhouse in this town was burned by the enemy. The first church (Bap.) was formed in 1789;12 Rev. Sherman Babcock was the first pastor.
FORT EDWARD-was formed from Argyle, April 10, 1818. It lies upon the E. bank of the Hudson, near the center of the w. border of the co. A wide intervale extends along the
1 Formerly called "Arkansaw." The present name is derived | 5 tons of pig iron daily. A forge was built at West Fort Ann in from Jolin Gale, former proprietor of the village site. See p. 683. 1828, for making anchors and chain cables. ? This patent was granted Nov. 4, 1684, and renewed Oct. 9, 9 Incorp. Marchi 7, 1820. 1708. The part E. of the Hudson was 12 mi. long and 6 mi. broad. % This fort was built of thick posts driven into the ground close to each other, in the manner of palisades, forming a square, "the length of whose sides was within the reach of a musket shot." At each corner were houses for officers; and within the palisades were barracks of timbers .- Kalm's Travels.
4 Among the first settlere of about this period were Pet. Becker, Elijah Freemau, Thos. and Misbal Beadle, William Thompson, Nathan Potter, John Swain, and William Coffin. A school was taught near Union Village as early as 1787. Gerrit Lansingh kept the first store, in 1794; and John Gale built the first mill, at Galesville. iu 1810. The first woolen factory was built in tho summiner of 1846, by Gale, Rodgers & Reynolds.
5 There are 5 churches in town ; 2 M. E., 2 Ref. Prot. D., and 1 Friends.
6 Said to be nained from a small remnant of Indians, who wero driven from Conn. and settled here.
7 Near Wood Creck, 50 feet above the present surface of the stream, are found pot holes worn by water, evidently by an ancient current flowing southward.
8 A blast furuace was built at Mt. Hope in 1826, which makes
10 While this fort was in process of erection, a force of 1500 French and Indiane were sent to destroy it; but, learning that Col. Nicholsou was posted here with a superior force, they re- turned. While the English were awaiting at this place the opening of a road and the coustruction of bateaux on Lake Champlain, a fatal sickness broke out in the camp, and great numbers died as if poisoned. In October Col. Nicholson re- turned with his crippled forces to Albany. Charlevoix states that this sickuess was produced by the treachery of the Indians, who threw the skins of their gaine into the swamp above the camp. It is more probable that it was a malignaut dysentery caused by the malaria of the swamps and the extreme heat.
Il The Americans were obliged to retreat in consequence of their ammunition giving out. They destroyed their works, and felled trees across the road and creek, obstructing the route to Fort Edward as much as possible. The removal of these obstructions caused a delay of several weeks, which finally proved fatal to the invading army.
13 The first edifice was built in 1810, 2 mi. E. of Dewey Bridge, and is now used as a schoolhouse. There are 6 churches iu town ; 3 Bap., M. E., Meth. Prot., and Free.
682
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
river, but toward the E. the surface rises to a height of 200 to 300 ft. and spreads out into a beauti- fully undulating upland. The Hudson, Moses Kil and Dead Creek are the principal streams. The soil upon the river is a mixture of heavy elay and alluvium, but farther E. it is a sandy or gravelly loam. In town are several extensive manufacturing establishments.1 Fort Edward? (p. v.) is finely situated on the Hudson. Pop. in 1858, 1,565. The Washington Co. Seminary and Female Collegiate Institute,8 one of the largest academie institutions in the State, is located at this village. Fort Miller (p. v.) is situated on the Hudson, about 7 mi. below Fort Edward. Pop. 225. Fort Edward Center is a p. o., and Durkeetown is a hamlet. The first family that located in the town or co. was that of Col. Lydius, son of Rev. John Lydius, who, having acquired the title to Delliu's discarded patent, built a house, and engaged in trade with the Indians at what is now Fort Edward Village." His daughter, Catherine, was born here, and was the first white child born in the eo. Fort Nicholson was built in 1709, but was soon after abandoned. As a part of the plan of military operations against Canada, about 600 men, under Gen. Lyman, were sent forward, in June, 1755, to build a fort where Fort Nicholson had formerly stood, at the great carrying place to Lake Champlain.6 Fort Edward was a very important depot for arms and ren- dezvous for armies in the great expeditions against Canada; and it served as a vast hospital for the siek and wounded until 1760, when it was allowed to go to decay. During the Revolution it was again occupied by both British and Americans. Fort Miller is named from the fort built, about 1755, in the bend of the river opposite the village.6 After the peace this town settled rapidly. Win. Duer," son-in-law to Lord Sterling, was the pioneer of Ft. Miller, where he built a large house and sawmill. There are 6 churches in town.8
GRANVILLE-was formed March 23, 1786. It is situated upon the E. border of the eo., N. of the center. Its surface is undulating and hilly. The ridges generally slope gradually to their summits, which are elevated 300 to 500 ft. above the valleys. Quarries of excellent roofing slate have been opened in different parts of the town.º Wide intervales of excellent land extend along the course of Mettowee, or Pawlet,10 and Indian Rivers. The soil is a slaty and gravelly loam, and is particularly adapted to potatoes, large quantities of which are exported. A limited amount of manufactures11 is carried on in town. Granville12 (p. v.) contains an academy and 450 in- habitants; North Granville (p. v.) a female seminary and 220 inhabitants; Middle Gran- ville (p. v.) 439 inhabitants; and South Granville (p. v.) 111. The land in this town is em- braced in several grants made to about 30 captains and lieutenants who had served in the French War.13 Barnaby Byrnes Patent, of 2000 aeres, in the s. E. corner, was sold to Kennith MeKennith, a merchant of New York, who again sold it to Donald Fisher, a tailor of that city. Fisher induced several relatives of his to remove from Scotland and settle upon his traet. In the Revolution he withdrew to Canada, and his lands were confiscated and sold; but, owing to some informality, the
1 The dam at Fort Edward furnishes water for 4 gang sawmills, a machine shop and furnace, a flouring mill, plaster mill, paper mill, and cotton factory. At Fort Miller Dam are a grist and saw mill, fulling nill, machine shop, and woolen factory.
2 Incorp. under Gen. Act of 1847.
8 The seminary building is 300 ft. long by 40 broad, and 5 stories high, besides au extensive wing. It has accommodations for 500 pupils. See page 743.
4 His house was hurned by the Indians in 1749, and his son taken prisoner.
5 It was named Fort Lyman ; hut a few years after, the name was changed to Ft. Edward, in honor of Edward, Duke of York, grandson of Geo. II., and brother of Geo. III. It stood on the bank of the river, N. of the creek, and within the present village limits. It was 4 sided, with bastions on 3 angles, the fourth being protected by the river. Its ramparts of earth and timber, 16 ft. high and 22 thick, wero mounted with 6 cannon and en- closed several large buildings. Storehouses and barracks were built on Monroes Island, opposite. A hand of savages attempted to surprise it in Aug. 1759, but were repulsed by Maj. Israel Put- nam and his rangers. In tho wiuter following, Putnam saved the fort from destruction by a characteristic exercise of cool in- trepidity aud daring. The fort accidentally took fire, and the flames spread with great rapidity in the immediate vicinity of the powder magazine. Putnam placed himself in the path of the flames, and fought desperately until the fire was subdued; and when he retired from his post his arms, face, and hands were entirely skinned, and the frail covering of the magazine was completely charred.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.